WWE-AEW Rivalry Sees Superstars Pulled From Starrcast Convention

World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) chairman Vince McMahon is making sure that anyone connected with his promotion does not take outside bookings, especially anything remotely connected to newly formed All Elite Wrestling (AEW). The Undertaker and Kurt Angle have been pulled from their upcoming appearances at wrestling convention Starrcast II.

Starrcast is a wrestling convention created by Conrad Thompson and the second edition of the event will take place in Las Vegas on the same weekend AEW hosts its first live event “Double or Nothing” at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. The events have no direct connection whatsoever, but will take place in the same location and with a number of AEW stars expected to attend.

The Undertaker was booked to make an appearance at the show, but Thompson has now confirmed that WWE has pulled the plug on his appearance after “the deadman” inked a new deal with the promotion recently. McMahon supposedly will not allow key members of the WWE’s roster to take part in the event.

“The announcement went wide and viral,” Thompson told Sports Illustrated. “I was told it had gotten WWE’s attention and that Vince McMahon texted The Undertaker about the appearance. 'Taker’s representation, which is a company called Get Engaged, called to tell me, ‘WWE says he can’t do it.’”

The popular podcast host also tried to convince one of McMahon or his daughter Stephanie McMahon and Triple H to fill in for the Undertaker, but was rebuffed. WWE is, however, covering the damages incurred in terms of compensation as the announcement about the WWE legend’s appearance was made in February.

Thompson has now contacted another WWE legend Shawn Michaels to replace the Undertaker for the wrestling convention alongside Kurt Angle. But the former, who was initially booked for the event, had backed down due to its close proximity to AEW.

Angle, who also signed a new contract with WWE recently, is also likely to be pulled from the convention after Thompson revealed that the management teams of both the wrestlers have been silent once the request was sent out.

“I asked to keep Kurt Angle and announce Shawn Michaels as the replacement for The Undertaker,” Thompson added. “I offered to book everyone ‘through the office.’. I wanted to play by the rules but I felt like I already had, since each of these guys were actively marketing themselves for outside appearances via booking agents or their own social media. I have checked in daily for a week now and nothing is changing.”

Chris Jericho, a WWE legend in his own right, joined AEW on a multi-year deal earlier in the year. He has praised his new employers and the company’s ability to pay out lucrative deals but has since revealed McMahon’s decision to cut him out from the promotion’s rich history owing to him switching allegiance to a rival company.